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List

Salvia hispanica - L.

Common Name

Mexican Chia, Chia

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Not known

Range

Southern N. America - C. Mexico.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Salvia hispanica is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

When soaked in water, the seeds form a gelatinous mass which is flavoured with fruit juices and consumed as a cooling drink[183, 200]. The gelled seeds can also be prepared as a gruel or pudding[183]. The sprouted seeds are eaten in salads, sandwiches, soups, stews etc[183]. Due to their mucilaginous property they are often sprouted on clay or other porous materials[183]. The seed can be ground into a meal and made into bread, biscuits, cakes etc, usually in a mix with cereal flours[183]. The seed is a good source of protein and easily digested fats[274].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a light to medium well-drained fertile soil in a warm sunny position[200]. Plants are not very frost tolerant but can be grown as summer annuals in Britain[200]. This species is widely cultivated for its edible seed in Mexico. Many of the plants cultivated under this name are in fact S. lavandulifolia[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out in late spring or early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ during April/May, though this sowing might not mature its seed in a cool summer[200].

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants

A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

The March 2006 Satuday Evening Post had a page on this plant referencing the seed usage medicinally. It is called Salba. You don't seem to be aware of it or else do not crdeit the information. Which is it?

Elizabeth H.

Jo Ann

Sun Apr 16 2006

I looked for more info re Salvia Hispanica 4.16.06 because of an article I found at http://www.serve.com/BatonRouge/n3favet.htm that says it is a palatable source of Omega 3. It further annotates studies showing health benefits of consuming Salvia hispanica. It lists one medical drawback--something about pyridoxine.

Medicinal uses?
The Kings Seed catalogue(a great New Zealand Company(I am not affiliated with)) says S.hispanica as a sprouting seed is said to increase energy, reduce hunger(!)and cause feelings of well-being.
They give no references
Sounds too good to be true but maybe worth further investigation.

Elizabeth H.

david nicholls

Tue Jun 13 2006

Since writing the last message someone intersted in dieting has pointed out to me that the above
medicinal benefits can probably be explained by the high protein content. Probably obvious to many people.

Elizabeth H.

Phaedar O'Tyrrell

Sun Aug 20 2006

In a British study, made to satisfy a Committe charged with safeguarding inclusive food products, there is excellent research and discussion regarding chis.

Dr. Weil on Chia aka Salvia Hispanica aka Salba http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA365093 href="http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/issues/2005/1112/print7370809.shtml" Seeds Of Wellness: Return Of A Supergrain | Saturday Evening Post The Aztec civilization may never rise again, but part of its ancient legacy may be a gift of better health to those who have rediscovered the secret of its prized "running food."

Elizabeth H.

Sat Nov 4 2006

Jo Ann thanks for the link, but the drawback references made to pyridoxine is about flax, not about chia.

Elizabeth H.

Ed peters

Thu Apr 26 2007

question is can we buy seed for Salvia Hispanica L and what is the average yield per mature plant. I live in SW florida where we sometimes can get 2 to 3 growing seasons

Elizabeth H.

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future

Wed May 9 2007

I'm not sure what yields are for this species, but the seeds can be obtained from B&T World seeds. Thier website is at http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/.

Elizabeth H.

Gene Abernathy

Sun Apr 22 2007

Gene Abe April 21, 2007
Go to http://www.911healthshop.com/salba.html (I have no connected interests with it)
for a promotional piece about Salba seeds, a super grain resulting from
selective propigation of selected white Chia seeds. The piece gives a good brief
history of Chia along with info on Salba as the modern offspring of Chia. Sounds as if
modern Salba, by way of ancient Chia, might be one of the most nutritionally powerful
natural foods ever. (Other than the fruit of the Tree of Life in The Garden of Eden
which has been denied us since Adam and Eve were evicted.)

Salba Super Grain Info on Salba and history of Chia. Sells Salba but I have no connection whatever.

Apparently there is a more nutrient dense varietal strain of the Salvia Hispanica Plant grown in Peru. It is called Salba, and it seems to be getting much press in the U.S. and Canada. Seems to be alot of strong response with regard to its nutritional properties and performance. Much information available at www.salbausa.com

You can get seed at http://chiaseedandoil.com/ . 1.5lb bag for 9$ Sold for consumption but the seeds are viable.

Elizabeth H.

clement

Wed Sep 12 2007

how long does it take to mature?

Elizabeth H.

JOSE CUEVAS

Sun Dec 2 2007

CHIA or CHIAN as the Aztecs Called it (Salvia Hispanica) originary from
MEXICO,and CENTRAL AMERICA is a highly nutritious, rich OMEGA-3
content seed.
Omega-3 (ALPHA LINOLENIC ACID ALA 18:3)Of CHIA (Salvia Hispanica) which
later develops by biosyntesis in the body into long chain OMEGA-3 type
(EPA, DHA), can provide 62% of its total volume in OMEGA-3.
Making CHIA the highest level source of NATURAL (NOT ANIMAL) OMEGA-3.
Actually we have been marketing CHIA OIL in Mexico for 2 years with excellent
results in lowering Cholesterol and Tryglicerides levels in many users.
Many people solved their Diabetic Feet problem, or inflamatory conditions like
Arthritis.
However, CHIA should not be praised only because of its
therapeutic properties, but also as a basic NUTRIENT for all the family:
Children and Adults should be ingesting a min. of 2,2 g. of OMEGA-3
per day according to the WHO, which is easily accomplished with only
4 ml. of CHIA OIL per day. Besides CHIA OIL has a very delicious taste
and combines with all sorts of foods and recipes.
For further information please check my web page: www.fuentenatura.com
sorry, Spanish only. But you can write me in English, French, Portuguese,
Japanese or Spanish to: jose.cuevas@fuentenatura.com in Mexico.
Best regards
Jose Cuevas (Mr.)
Fuentenatura
Aviñon 47,Villa Verdun
Mexico City, 01810
Mexico
www.fuentenatura.com
Ph. +5255-5635-0481
Fx. 3026

Fuentenatura Specialized Site in Salvia Hispanica: CHIA only Spanish (Mexico)

Elizabeth H.

Zoltan Roman

Wed Dec 5 2007

I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with permanent atrial fibrillation. For this reason I must take Warfarin (Coumadin). As chia /Salba seems to thin blood, this may be a problem. Could you refer me to a study where I can get more information on this aspect of the seed? Many thanks. Zoltan Roman

Elizabeth H.

joy Veazey

Sun Feb 10 2008

Being that salba is a grain does anyone know if it is tolerated by gluten intolerant people?

Elizabeth H.

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future

Sun Feb 10 2008

Although salba is an edible seed, it is not a grain in the sense that grain usually refers to the seeds of various grasses - the cereals such as wheat and oats.
Whilst many cereals do contain gluten, salba is completely gluten-free and suitable for people with a gluten intolerance.

Elizabeth H.

Jeffrey R Savoie

Sat Aug 9 2008

I am looking for more information on growing and harvesting salvia hispanica. Is there a thorough growing guide with fertilization recomendatios? We have the proper soils & are about 60 miles north of Champaign, Illinois

Elizabeth H.

Thu Aug 14 2008

Salba costs more and it is not any better, just all one color.

Elizabeth H.

Frank Fernandez

Sun Sep 21 2008

Salvia Hispanica is gluten free. There are many resources online, and although this is a month late, and you probably have your answer,I feel anyone else onlooking may be interested.
Now I have a question, does anyone know of a place I could find information on growing these perhaps in Florida? I'm new to gardening but am really intrigued, I bought a book and have been looking up information, but for beginners it seems that the internet is not gardener friendly, and this kind of disturbs me.

Elizabeth H.

Frank Fernandez

Mon Sep 22 2008

I almost forgot to mention, there is proof in a lot of places on the web that Salba is indeed NOT any better, and it may be true that the wild 'black' seed is the better one. They simply interbred white varieties of the seed until they got a fully white seed. It has no added benefit to the normal ones, and in many cases is actually not as good. I'm not a botanist, but last
I found the proof here, there are many other websites that prove it, look up white vs black chia seeds.
http://buychiagrain.com/signature_grain_faq.htm#q8

Elizabeth H.

Sean Hannigan

Sun Oct 12 2008

More important than the color of the seed, it appears that climate, rainfall, soil conditions, altitude, latitude and agronomic practices all contribute to the quality of the seed.
A company called LifeMax produces a product called MILA™ that is reported to be better than other forms of Salvia hispanica L. out there. MILA is a mixture of the best seed which has been selected since they were grown under the most favorable conditions and in locations which achieve the highest quality and nutritional value. Combining that with enhanced processing technology, LifeMax assures maximum nutritional absorption.
More importantly, to me at least, since MILA can only be grown in limited supply! The mission of LifeMax is to change the health of the world and whatever seed does not make the production cut is utilized in many different channels of distribution to achieve that mission.
Read more about MILA at http://mykindofgrain.com

Hi I live in Durban South Africa.Is seed available in this country? If not where could I get seed ? Colin

Elizabeth H.

david n

Wed Nov 19 2008

If you can't find it in SA, B and T World Seed have it, they have the worlds largest seed catalogue , and do international orders on line.
www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com

Elizabeth H.

Frank Fernandez

Fri Nov 21 2008

Please don't advertise for companies that attempt to call their version of Salvia the best guys, there has been no medical proof documented for any of these groups that claim so, so all you're really doing is spreading their marketing tactics.

Elizabeth H.

cleve magill

Fri Jan 2 2009

this sounds really great,but is there anyreal proof that it really is as beneficial as everyone seems to think.i have nearly all the symptoms mentioned it will help,my legs burn all the time from nuropathy and bad circulation in feet.
.irratable bowl sendrome,fatigue,and many more.sounds to good to be true.but God said all the medicine we need is in the plants that he provided.sure sounds like one.dont want to spend more money on something else that doesnt work the way they say.

Elizabeth H.

healthywarrior

Thu Jan 8 2009

There are many people her that post without doing their research. I assure you that Salba is more superior to generic or common chia because it jas indeed been proven in human clinical study. There was a study published in the November 2007 issue of Diabetes Care which shows absolutely that the Salba varieties were proven to lower cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 Diabetes - the plain and simple fact is that no other variety has been proven to do this. I know beacuase I have tried many cheaper versions with sub-standard results. I suggest you contact Salba for a copy of the study! All you have to do is take alook around and you can see who backs their product and its efficacy.

I'm interested in planting salvia hispanica in my garden. How and where can I order seeds? Please help

Elizabeth H.

Margaret

Mon Feb 23 2009

You can purchase edible chia seed online or through a health food store. This seed will grow.
However, if you garden in a temperate climate (outside the subtropics) it is unlikely that your plants will complete their life cycle and produce seeds before the first frost.

I have used both Salba and Chia seeds. I live in Toronto and winter in B
Barbados. I have planted Salba seeds, about 3 months ago; and have about 60 plants varing from
plants from 4 in. to 4 ft. Some have small flowers and seed pods.
Others are tall and no flower seeds.
How do I harvest the green not ripe pods ?

Elizabeth H.

Darcy Crary

Wed Apr 29 2009

I have Crohn's Disease and cannot eat anything made from a grain, such as wheat. Therefore, I must grind to a powder nuts in order to make cookies, etc. tha
t would normally be made with regular flour. So, I need to know is the Salba seed oil okay for people with Crohn's Disease.
Thank you,
Darcy Crary

I want to grow Salvia Hispanica L in the Philippines but most seed outlets in the United States, Canada do not ship to the Philippines. I have a credit card and want to charge it but the addresses to whom shipments can be sent to do not include the Philippines. Anyone out there can help me? Thank you.

Elizabeth H.

david

Wed May 13 2009

You could try B and T world seeds (b-and-t-world-seeds.com) I don't know if they will ship to the Phillipines but they have seed of this plant and are the worlds largest international supplier of seed, based in England, it's possible they can tell you where to look if they cant supply to you.

Elizabeth H.

may

Tue Sep 1 2009

can this be helpful in patients with polycystic ovaries? i wanted to know if this can be of great help.

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